Circles Robinson, Author at Havana Times

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Dirtier Dancing in Cuba

I saw the video that’s being passed from computer to computer showing what happened at the beach-side Guanimar Cabaret to the east of Havana. In it, young women in the audience —urged on by the show’s emcee— transform the dance floor into a pornographic set. All this reminded me of the conflict that my son experienced with a girl in his classroom who sexually harassed him.

Cuba Lesbians Demand Fair Health Services

Lesbian and bisexual women’s groups in Cuba, which welcome anyone who wishes to participate “with solidarity and in a respectful, friendly and healthy manner,” point to the need to sensitize health personnel to the issue of female sexual diversity.

Paranoia or Communications Blockade?

I sometimes have the sensation that a “communications blockade” has been established to hinder my work and contact with society. Officials told me that it was pure paranoia, so that’s why I decided to seek the opinions of our readers.

Cuba Suspends Postal Packages to US

The Cuban Postal Company decided to temporarily suspend the sending of postal packages to the United States, where only regular and certified correspondence that does not contain any type of object will be able to be sent. The measure comes after the announcement of exceptional security measures taken by the US Postal Service in the face of recent terrorist threats in that country, limiting the reception of packages that weigh over 16 ounces.

ALBA Prize for Silvio Rodríguez

Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez was recognized with the ALBA Arts Prize, which the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) awards every year, the Cuban media reported. Cuban Minister of Culture Abel Prieto highlighted the “unquestionable work for the cultural emancipation and integration of Our America” of Rodríguez and Venezuelan Luis Britto, Literature Prize winner.

Defending My Rights in Cuba

“I’m not protesting. I’m defending my right to quality service, to be respected as a customer, to demand the conditions that I paid for as a passenger. I live in a free country and I’m entitled to defend my ideas!”

Cuba’s Cardinal to Meet with Spain FM

The archbishop of the Cuban capital, Jaime Ortega, will arrive today in Spain where he will meet with Foreign Minister Trinidad Jiménez, sources from the Foreign Ministry of that European country reported. Cardinal Ortega, together with former Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, was one of the architects of the negotiation with the island’s government that has made it possible to release the majority of the political prisoners tried in 2003.

Urban Agriculture to be Extended in Cuba

The urban and suburban agriculture programmes will be extended to 156 of the 169 municipalities of Cuba before the close of the year, said Adolfo Rodriguez, head of the National Group in charge of that initiative, which until now has 36,000 farms throughout the island. The Caribbean country’s authorities are promoting the local production of food to reduce imports, estimated at more than two billion dollars.

Cuba Cigar Factory Donates $ to Health System

The Partagás cigar factory, located in the Cuban capital, donated 23,600 convertible pesos (around 29,000 dollars) to the country’s health system. The donation comes from its annual meeting, which on this occasion convened more than 400 specialists in the production and sale of this product as well as cigar aficionados from around a dozen countries.